Exterior design & curb appeal
The home greets you with a generous, elongated front porch that spans much of the façade, setting a warm and inviting tone. Three dormers above the porch add architectural character and bring in additional daylight. The overall width is 84′6″ and depth is 95′4″, giving the house a substantial footprint. The roof’s primary pitch is 9 on 12, giving it a pitched, traditional silhouette. A 3-car garage is tucked to the side/rear, maintaining the aesthetics of the front façade. The style blends Acadian/Cape-Cod/Country/Farmhouse influences, with dormers, porch, and balanced proportions.
Interior layout & main level walkthrough
As you step inside the foyer, you find a pair of barn doors opening into a quiet study or library — ideal for w upork, reading or quiet time. The heart of the home is an open-concept living room flowing directly into an eat-in kitchen. The kitchen features a large island, perfect for prep or casual gatherings, and is adjacent to a walk-in pantry for convenient storage. The living/kitchen area extends to a spacious rear porch, bringing the outdoors in and offering an easy transition to outdoor living. The master suite is located on this main level. It includes its own foyer, a dramatic cathedral ceiling in the bedroom, a lavish en suite, plus a walk-in closet. The remaining three bedrooms are also on the main level, spaced out to offer privacy and separation. The main level ceiling height is 9′.
Upper level / bonus room & special features
Above the garage you’ll find a bonus room (543 sq ft on the 2nd floor) that includes a full bathroom and is counted in the total 3,243 sq ft of heated space. The second‐floor ceiling height is 10′. This extra bonus space is ideal for a media room, guest suite, home gym, or play space. Special features highlighted include a butler’s walk-in pantry, main-level laundry/utility room, a mudroom entry (likely from the garage), and clustered bedrooms which help organize family spaces.
Dimensions, structure & technical details
• Total heated area: 3,243 sq ft (2,700 sq ft on the first floor + 543 sq ft on the second).
• Porch area (combined) is 848 sq ft.
• Garage: attached 3-car, area of 1,032 sq ft, entry from the side.
• Exterior walls: standard 2×4 construction.
• Foundation: slab.
• Max ridge height: 28′6″.
Estimated cost & suitability for local adaptation
While this plan is sized for the U.S., you could adapt it in Arusha, Tanzania with local building materials and labour. The large footprint (approx 84×95′) means you’d need a generous plot size. Considering local construction costs, if we estimate US$120-150 per sq ft for a quality finish (which may vary hugely in Tanzania), a rough build cost might fall in the range of US$390,000 to US$485,000. Adjustments for local labour, materials, finishes and local codes will influence this significantly. Also consider local climate: the cathedral ceiling in the master suite and large roof pitch are lovely, but you may want to incorporate high-quality insulation, shading and ventilation for comfort in our climate
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Interior design suggestions & walkthrough feel
As you walk through the front porch you’re greeted by light pouring through the dormers above. From the foyer you can choose the study immediately, which gives separation from family bustle — ideal if one member works or studies from home. Moving ahead, the living and kitchen areas are wide and open: imagine cooking on the large island while looking out toward the rear porch, perhaps through sliding glass doors. The pantry close by means no long trips with groceries. Adjacent, the utility/mud/mudroom from the garage keeps messy boots, school bags and laundry away from the living space. Entering the master suite, the cathedral ceiling creates drama and airiness; daylight and perhaps a vaulted feature wall enhance the space. The en suite bathroom and walk-in closet are generous. The other three bedrooms are clustered on the main floor but located so there’s distance between them and the master, providing privacy for adults and children alike. Up above the garage, the bonus room gives flexibility: you might use it as a guest retreat, home cinema or teen suite — with its own bath and comfortable ceiling height.
Summary
This plan offers a well-balanced mix of formal and informal spaces, combining traditional exterior charm (front porch, dormers) with modern open-plan living and a generous footprint. The inclusion of a bonus room above the garage adds flexibility. If you have a spacious lot and build budget to match, it makes for a solid candidate for family living. Adapting it to your locale in Arusha will require careful cost planning, climate-appropriate design choices and sourcing of local materials and contractors.
